Avengers Vault

A visual history of one of Marvel's major brands: The Avengers. The book will trace the evolution of Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk and Captain America from comic book issue No. 1 in 1963, through their incarnations in film, animation and merchandise, to their current blockbuster status. As with Alien Vault and Terminator Vault it will feature rare and unseen artwork, and 10 pieces of removable memorabilia for fans to remove and examine. Published ahead of the second Avengers movie (which goes on general release in Summer 2015) the book will be a deluxe, official gift for film and comics fans alike.

Celebrate the famed Super Hero assembly that has captured imaginations for half a century. Captain America—The Mighty Thor—The Invincible Iron Man—and The Incredible Hulk! These are the Marvel Avengers that have captured our hearts and imaginations as heroes likely and unlikely, and too magnificent to be true. Learn the history of these fictional icons with Marvel: The Avengers Vault, a guided tour through the union of “Earth’s mightiest heroes and heroines,” led by award-winning author and Avengers insider, Peter A. David. The book includes a thorough overview of each of the four most prominent Avengers and introduces a myriad of other characters from the Winter Soldier to Fandral the Dashing, Hogun the Grim, Edwin Jarvis, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and many more. Covering everything from the release of the first Avengers comic in 1963 to the blockbuster movies of today, Marvel: The Avengers Vault even contains ten removable reproductions that include Captain America’s Sentinels of Liberty membership card, specialty original art by Jack Kirby, and early drawings of Iron Man. A treasure trove of Avenger moments and memorabilia, this set is perfect for avid comic enthusiasts and newbies alike.

Bringing the classic X-Men and the Avengers: Gamma Quest trilogy back into print in a brand-new omnibus. The X-Men--mutant protectors of a world that fears and hates them. The Avengers--Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the greatest super-team ever assembled. When the Scarlet Witch of the Avengers and Rogue of the X-Men both disappear under mysterious circumstances, each team's search leads them to more questions than answers. Desperate to recover their missing teammates, they must join forces to uncover the truth. But their efforts will bring them up against a foe with the deadliest power of all: to make them turn on each other!

The Marvel Vault brings the Universe to you, sharing the insider's story of Marvel Comics from 1939 to the present. Chock-full of historic and never-before-seen memorabilia (think: early sketches of Sub-Mariner and the Human Torch, Bullpen birthday cards, and a membership certificate for the Merry Marvel Marching Society), this vibrant chronicle contains over 30 plastic-encased archival gems that you can hold in your hand while reading about the artists, writers, and heroes who make up the Marvel Universe.Organized by decade, The Marvel Vault leads readers through every era by letting them hold such rare items as holiday cards, the welcome kit from the original Merry Marvel Marching Society, the program for the first comics convention, and even the first sketches for characters who went on to become beloved Marvel icons.Whether you've been collecting Sub-Mariner dime-books since the 1940s, or have just started to crack the pages of current Spidey sagas, you'll want to gear up for Marvel-ous adventures with this dynamic collection!

Collects Avengers (1963) #334-344, Annual #20; Avengers: Deathtrap - The Vault; material from Incredible Hulk Annual #17, Namor the Sub-Mariner Annual #1, Iron Man Annual #12, Avengers West Coast Annual #6. To battle the Brethren! Thane Ector and his allies devastated the Collector - and now they've come for Earth. And to stop them, the Avengers must call in reserves, returnees - and a new recruit! But will the humbled Elder of the Universe aid Earth's Mightiest, or renew his collection obsession? Hate may conquer all when the Sons of the Serpent strike - unless the Avengers and New Warriors can do something about it! But how will our heroes react when a fallen comrade seemingly returns? Plus, the Subterranean Wars rage, and the Vault prison becomes a deathtrap filled with deadly menaces - including Venom!

Marvel Studios' approach to its Cinematic Universe--beginning with the release of Iron Man (2008)--has become the template for successful management of blockbuster film properties. Yet films featuring Marvel characters can be traced back to the 1940s, when the Captain America serial first appeared on the screen. This collection of new essays is the first to explore the historical, textual and cultural context of the larger cinematic Marvel universe, including serials, animated films, television movies, non-U.S. versions of Marvel characters, films that feature characters licensed by Marvel, and the contemporary Cinematic Universe as conceived by Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios. Films analyzed include Transformers (1986), Howard the Duck (1986), Blade (1998), Planet Hulk (2010), Iron Man: Rise of Technovore (2013), Elektra (2005), the Conan the Barbarian franchise (1982-1990), Ultimate Avengers (2006) and Ghost Rider (2007).